Mask requirement in Freising: According to the police, most do "very well"

Corona has an enormous impact on the work of the police. Freising's vice-boss has so far been satisfied with the behavior of the citizens - but also urges them not to lose focus.

Freising - The corona pandemic has had a significant impact on people's lives for a good five months. Rules and measures such as a mask requirement and minimum distance were introduced to limit the spread of the coronavirus and to protect the population. This has also changed the work of the police. "Corona makes up a large part of our daily work," says Michael Ertl, Vice-Chief of the Freising Police Department. So far he has been satisfied with the behavior of the Domstadt residents - but also appeals to them not to lose focus.

One violation in 64 controls

"We check every day and try to proceed with the appropriate sensitivity," reports Ertl in the FT interview. Violations of the mask requirement would only rarely have to be punished. During the Bavaria-wide control action, which took place last Thursday in local public transport, 64 controls were carried out in Freising. "We had a single violation." In principle, the majority of the population adheres to the Corona rules "very well". There is “hardly any stress”, only from time to time you have to intervene and warn. “In individual cases there is a little more stress. The result is a notification of an administrative offense, ”explains Ertl. Specifically, this means that anyone who does not wear the mask has to pay a fine of 150 euros.

Above all, the police ensure that the rules are adhered to in buses, trains and taxis. "In shops we check when we are called - for example because someone refuses to wear the prescribed mouth and nose protection." Basically, shopkeepers and the organizers of the few events that are slowly taking place again are "very anxious" to follow all regulations afford to.

Ertl's appeal: "Hold on!"

Although the Freising are very disciplined, you can now notice that the motivation to follow the rules has decreased. First police chief inspector Ertl shows understanding for this: "I feel like probably everyone else: I don't know whether you get used to wearing a mask and keeping your distance permanently." The problem at the moment is that people are "slowly approaching." get used to this permanent danger, ”says Ertl. However, he emphasizes: "That is exactly the danger: that one loses focus on the virus." But that should not be the case as long as there is no effective vaccine. "Especially in a few weeks, when school starts again and all vacationers are back, personal discipline is all the more important." Ertl's appeal to the citizens: "Hang in there! In terms of good coexistence, especially in the public sector, everyone should make sure to protect themselves and their fellow human beings as best they can. "